Purchasing+Devices

While a procurement card is no longer necessary to buy devices, or if your school doesn't have a procurement card, you need to think through how you will buy books because having a procurement card is almost essential for purchasing books for your ebook reader.

Nooks can be purchased with a purchase order. Contact your local store's education representative. Your school's instructional technology coordinator can give you the contact information if you do not have it. You may also order online. Barnes and Noble is WAY ahead of the game in terms of support of schools in purchasing in terms of devices and books, but with this support comes control. Their program is just developing, and you should contact your school's education/community representative for the latest and to also describe your needs. If you purchase a volume, you can participate in their management program. They will set up your Nooks, help you with purchasing (through purchase orders) and load those books for you...for the life of your ownership. The trade-off...that is the only way you get material on them. You cannot put free books on them without working through B&N. You are no longer managing them.

Amazon is discontinuing the Corporate Account program which allowed schools to submit purchase orders. Their new process is explained here. []. If you already have an account, you may want to read through the changes to see if it is still beneficial to participate. Note that if your school does opt to keep a line of credit, there is a limit. You do not need to buy covers through Amazon. Other places such as Best Buy sell Kindle covers and are purchase order friendly. If you are buying 25 or more Kindles, you do get a discount through their Education Sales department.